Reading material - Hidden Treasure by palerunner

In 1988, US millionaire Forrest Fenn was diagnosed with cancer. Thinking that his life was nearly over, he wanted to leave something to the world. Then he had a rather interesting idea. He decided to fill a wooden chest with treasure and hide it.

He included old gold coins, ancient animal figures, and antique jewelry, all covered in gold dust, and left the chest somewhere in the desert, probably in New Mexico, where he lives. Then he published his autobiography and included in it a poem which contained clues about where the treasure was hidden. Against all expectations, Fenn recovered from cancer, so he has lived to see the success of his plan.

He says his idea was to provide people with an adventure: hunting outside, with the chance of getting rich. He loves stories and adventures and he clearly enjoys the attention his plan has brought him. Every few months he releases a new clue, just to keep treasure hunters interested. It seems it is working: he has received more than 13.000 emails from people that want more clues, as well as 18 marriage proposals! There are blogs that describe Fenn's treasure hunt, and tourism in the area has increased, thanks to people who want to find the chest.

Fenn was originally from a poor family in Texas. As a child, he spent his summers in Yellowstone National Park, which is where he first discovered his love of the outdoors. After a career in the Air Force, he eventually opened an art gallery in Santa Fe, making his money by buying and selling paintings. He also became known for organising amazing parties which were attended by all kinds of famous people. Now he lives with his wife, happily looking on as treasure hunters arrive in his home town.

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